There has been much media attention of late regarding ‘the opioid crisis’.

This is directly parallel to the the so-called Drug War.

Or ‘gun violence’.

Those who wish to insert governmental controls into private actions often label (insert issue here) as a ‘crisis’.

President Nixon started the War On Drugs in 1971. Here 40 years later, billions of dollars later, thousands have been incarcerated, and little illegal drug commerce has been stopped.

And numerous States have decriminalized and/or medicalized previously illegal drugs.

People continue to be shot en mass in Illinois and elsewhere.

And people with legitimate prescriptions are being squeezed more and more because their physicians and pharmacies are.

By the ‘well meaning’ federal government.

A recent study noted that something like a whopping 1% of those who have opioid prescriptions are abusing them.

The lions share of abuse comes from those who steal, smuggle and illegally obtain such drugs.

Are you surprised?

I’m not.

I sometimes take a relatively low dose narcotic, which I get through a legal prescription, to deal with my chronic pain. I know others who take a much higher dosage than I, who must constantly wrestle with the increasing pressure on the medical community.

While the bad guys make billions from illegal users, largely unchecked.

But, but, I live in the People’s Republic of___________ (fill in the blank) and cannot get________. (fill in the blank)

Perhaps not, but here’s some possible alternatives!

Credit: Phase 5 Weapon Systems

It is easy for those of us who live in states without “assault weapon” ban (or worse) restrictions to thumb our nose at shooters in California, New York and New Jersey. Some of the compliant builds I have seen would make any respectable shooter want to cry. But how does the saying go: “walk a mile in a man’s shoes”? Having lived in enemy territory for a decade, I can sympathize with our range-loving brothers and sisters being held captive by ridiculous regulations.

Sure, I can see the comments section filling up now: “shall not be infringed”, “will not comply” or better yet “F*** California”. It may seem simple to just brush off whole sections of the country as lost when you don’t know anyone who lives there. But, if you have family or shooting buddies in California or New York, you may actually start to sympathize with their plight and understand why they buy, build and use the guns and gear they do.

As a writer here at TFB, I probably haven’t done a great job at highlighting the important work being done by manufacturers catering to restricted-style products. So in an attempt to turn things around, I asked for help from the social media powerhouse #hashtagtical who works alongside organizations like The Calguns Foundation to promote responsible gun ownership in California. Of course, we steer clear from politics here, but any organization that promotes the safe and legal use of firearms obviously gets my support.

Now, “top 5” lists can be annoying and seem like click bait – you know, like the rags in the grocery line with headlines that read ‘41 ways to please your… Boss’. And we’ve reported on a few of these products before. However, I’d like to start with this story, take input from our readers, and move forward with additional products in the future. Have a suggestion? Leave a comment, send me an email or follow us on social media.

Behind Enemy Lines? Check These Out:

Our new MA-Loader is a California compliant, 10-round bullet loading device that will allow you to safely and efficiently reload your fixed magazine without the need to break down the firearm. Simply place the MA-Loader into your AR-15’s ejector port and press the thumb-ring slider to quickly load or reload. It is that simple!**

AR MAGLOCK allows California AR-15 owners to comply with existing fixed magazine laws, thus avoiding Department of Justice registration. The AR MAGLOCK engages the magazine so it stays “fixed” in the firearm until the action is disassembled, complying with California SB 880 & AB 1135, and Department of Justice regulations. It is our reasonable belief the AR MAGLOCK complies with New York NY SAFE , Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and other states (and other local municipalities such as Cook County Illinois) detachable magazine laws based on our in depth analysis of these laws and regulations.

The Strike Industries Simple Featureless grip matches the contour of our popular Enhanced Pistol Grip, but allows for usage in feature restricted jurisdictions. The SFG requires no permanent modification to the receiver of your host system, and is constructed of durable reinforced polymer. As suggested by the name, the SFG a simple and affordable component for your featureless AR build.

By removing your rear takedown pin and installing Cross Armory’s QUICK PINS you will enjoy improved convenience when breaking down your weapon. QUICK PINS allow for easy opening and servicing of your weapon with a simple pinch of your fingers. Closing and locking your receivers together is as easy a closing the two receivers together, QUICK PINS will automatically lock your receivers into place. QUICK PINS allow for the easiest access to your firing mechanism.

FROM MILES V.’s SHOT 2017 COVERAGE: LWRC’s answer to the new California compliance laws is a sort of spring operated plunger that deactivates the magazine release once the upper receiver is assembled onto the lower receiver. Field stripping the rifle and ‘popping the top’ allows the plunger to be released, and the magazine to be released naturally by pressing the magazine button. To facilitate the field strip, LWRC has extended the rear take down pin to include a sort of port that makes gripping it easier, but also allows for a piece of 550 cord or likewise material to be threaded through the port and creating a loop to pop the rear take down pin out. Unlike other companies that have a specific Cali-Legal rifle variant, LWRC has this as an option, wherein most of the companies models can be retrofitted with the plunging device and rear take down pin. Currently it is patent-pending, but it has been approved by the California DOJ.

My friend and former boss, John, with whom I recently re-connected on FB, has had it rough. When I knew him back in college, he had it ‘all’. Former Marine, married to a beautiful woman, a nice house. I had none of these things. During the subsequent years, he lost his marriage, his home, his livelihood.

Sometime in the interim, he rejoined the Service, the second time the Navy!

After his discharge he lived on the streets for eleven years!

He is now on VA-related disability, and helps homeless vets with his own funds when he is able (!)

Sadly, he is battling a slow leukemia. And just found out that his heart is failing, AND, he has lung cancer!!!

In another part of the Republic, Brigid’s father may be on his way out. He is a WWII AAC veteran, and still lives in Brigid’s childhood home. He recently contracted pneumonia, often deadly for older folks. His next birthday he will be 97. If he makes it.

Here are two fine men. They have served their country. Raised decent and proper children. One of whom is a dear friend.

And here I am whining.

I am currently in an undisclosed location (paid for by J’s homeowner’s insurance). A hotel, enabling us to get a hot shower and stay out of the repair zone while the insurance adjuster, contractors, plumbers, et al fight it out for repair of the one bath in the house with a shower. Because of a ceiling leak.

I worry about the minutiae. Having to use part of the deductible funds to ‘secure the room’, for example.

We (both the firearms rights community and humanity) have lost yet another.

Bob Owens.

I knew him through the Internet and other bloggers. He was both personable and knowledgeable.

BearingArms.com reports that Owens was “a graduate of roughly 400 hours of professional firearms training classes, including square range and force-on force work with handguns and carbines.”

The site added that he was “a past volunteer instructor with Project Appleseed. He most recently received his Vehicle Close Quarters Combat Instructor certification from Centrifuge Training.”

According to Young Conservatives, “Bob was well-respected among conservatives and Second Amendment advocates. He would frequently take on gun control advocates in social media with his classic brand of intelligence and sharp wit, often leaving them in the dust.”

As news of Owens’ death spread on social media, many people expressed sadness. Others hit back at pro gun control supporters who made political statements about Owens’ death. (Heavy.com)

Of course, there was so much more to Bob than just a couple of dry paragraphs.

From Bob, himself:

About the Author

Written By: Bob

Bob Owens is native of North Carolina who began blogging at the politics-focused Confederate Yankee in November 2004 before transitioning to this site in 2011.

In August of 2013 he has been the editor of Townhall’s Second Amendment web site, BearingArms.com, where he now does most of his writing.

He is currently working on his first novel, The Long Way Home, and has published a short Kindle e-book for people interested in purchasing their first firearm, entitled So You Want to Own a Gun. He is a Rifleman and volunteer instructor in the Appleseed Project, where he shares stories of our history and heritage and teaches rifle marksmanship, but mainly likes to play Line Boss.

He is married to the girl of his dreams, and they have two children.

I was told during an extremely low time in my life that being a father meant suicide was no longer an option. In spite of this, I’m not judging Bob – who knows what demons resided in his psyche?

Godspeed, Bob – Requiescat in pacem

(PLEASE – If you are distraught, or worse, ask for help! Everyone, whether they realize it or not, has friends and family who care about them. Don’t take this path! – Guffaw)

The only problem was with scheduling (bureaucratizilla!). They required us to be there @ 0800. When she signed in, they said her surgery was scheduled for 1400!!!

At length, they said it MIGHT be earlier.

The took her back for prep @ 1130, said they would bring me back to sit with her in about a half an hour. At 1245, I asked, and they escorted me back(!?)

She went into surgery a bit after 1300, and the doc came out to educate me just before 1500. A large bone spur was removed, and the tear in her rotator cuff completely closed. And some rough edges polished(!)

Judy, my roommate, dear friend, and exgf, goes in for shoulder surgery this morning @ 0800. She is having a badly torn rotator cuff repaired. It seems 30+ years of doing hair has taken it’s toll!

Thanks to everyone’s generosity, she has a number of things to make her recovery a little less painful. The lift chair, which is normally my domain in the living room, needed it’s controller replaced. Having use of one arm means she now needs it, at least temporarily. The surgeon wants her to sleep in it. And an ice jacket, which is placed over the shoulder with circulating ice water, will hopefully lessen her pain.

We would not have been able to afford either of these things without your kind help.

Thank you again!

Well, off to the hospital!

PS – Judy was very moved by your comments and emails, and thanks you!

PPS – She made it through the surgery quite well (we have pictures!). A prognosis is for a complete recovery!

I’m disabled. For a number of reasons, including lymphoma. I don’t make much money on disability. I’ve an old, beater car, without working A/C. I rent a room in which to live. I’ve no romantic relationship in my life. I have chronic pain issues. They will never get better.

Sometimes, as above, I whine about these things. The holidays do not help.

Some time back, I reached out to a friend-of-long-ago on Facebook. And, he never responded. Oh, well. He was a college classmate, who became my boss (for a time) then a good friend. And we lost track of each other because of Life.

I was always a little envious of him. In college, he was in good shape, having just left The Marines. He

Archer

was handsome. Sparkling blue eyes, a shock of black hair, chiseled jaw and a permanent five-o’clock shadow with a blue/black beard undertone. He kinda resembled the adult cartoon character Archer. And his wife was gor-geous! (Maybe that was the most envious part?)

Well, I finally heard back from him on Facebook!

We all have our ‘stuff’. He is no different.

He’s divorced, and NOT friendly with his ex. (I am with mine.) He, too is on disability, brought about by his military service. He has a type of chronic leukemia. Not necessarily lethal, but in need of regular treatment. (Which he now receives).

And he told me he had been homeless for ELEVEN YEARS!!!

He is now working with other homeless veterans to help them get back on their feet and find places to live.